Side water wall supporting structure



April 26, 1932;

Original Filed Jan. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 4 m w w E D o 2/ 7. 7 A m nuezzr', WW

5 April 26, 1932- E. WHEELER 1,855,657 5 l SIDE WATER WALL SUPPORTING s'rauc'runn Original Filed Jan. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. WHEELER April 26, 1932.

S1133 WATER WALL SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Original Filed Jan. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Apr. 26, 1932 n -siren s rarss Parse caries niiwARn wrrnnnnn, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN Enemnnnme: comramr, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A conronarxon' I OF PENNSYLVANIA SIDE WATER'WALL surron'rmo STRUCTURE Application filed January 28, 1928, Serial My invention relates to furnaces, and it has for one'object the provision of improved means for supporting a protective structure for a furnace wall such, for example, as that disclosed in the co-pending application of Joseph S. Bennett, filed September 15, 1927 and assigned to the American Engineering Company.

Another object of my invention is to prowide means, whereby the protective structure for a furnace wall maybe easily reached from the outside of the wall without the necessity for destroying the portion of the wall immediately adjacent to the protective structure.

A further object of my invention is to pro- I vide an open frame 'work which is adapted to support one portion of the furnace wall and also a fluid-cooled protective panel for the side wall, the connection between the frame workand the panel being such that the latter may expand relative to the former in either direction from the center thereof.

Other objects and applications of my 111- vention, as well as details of construction and "operation, whereby-my invention may be practiced, will appear more fully hereinafter, when taken in connection with the accompanying specifications, claims and drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a furnace embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a detail side elevational view of the furnace wall opening wlth the outer closure plates removed;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to a reduced scale but showing the closure plates in position Fig. 4, is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken on the line 4+4 of Fig. 1;

. Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines and 6 6 of Fig. 4, respectively. and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the manner of rigidly connecting the central pair of'clainping angles of the protectivc panel to the supporting frame work.

llcfcrril'ig to the drawings, an inclined multiple-retort automatic stoker 1 of the underfecd type extends rearwardly from a furnace opening 2 in a front wall 3 to a main support,

No. 250,237. Renewed December 9, 1831.

- ing beam i. A rear end 5 of the stoker 1 is I spaced from an adjacent rear Wall 6 of the furnace to provide an ash pocket 7. The stoker 1 may comprise a plurality of series of inclined tuyeres 8 and a correspondingplurality of series of retorts 9 alternating therewith, only one series of each, however, being shown. A sufiicient number of series of tuyeres 8 and retorts 9 is provided to extend across the width of the furnace between side walls 11-11 of which only one is shown. c

A fuel bed may be built up on the grate surface provided by the inclined stoker 1, as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1, and slowly moved by means of a series of pushers 12 which are actuated by mechanism 13 forming no part of the present invention. The retorts 9, in which the pushers 12 are contained, may receive fuel from a hopper 14: positioned on the outside of the furnace.

The portion of the furnace side walls which is directly subjected to wear and deteriora' tion due to the movement of the fuel bed may be protected by means of a fluid-cooled panel coming in direct contact with the brick work of the furnacewall, and the inclination of which is approximately equal to that of the stoker 1 or the tuyere line thereof.

Each of the furnace walls 11 is provided with an opening 17 having an inclination approximately equal to that of the tuyere line or grate surface and it is so positioned that a lower edge 18 is below the heated portion of l the fuel bed. The width of the opening 17 is such thatan upper edge or side wall 19 is just above the top of the fuel bed. The opening 17 may be extended across the side wall 11 from the front wall 3 to the rear wall 6.

As shown in Fig. 3, the elongated fluidcooled structure or curtain 16 is positioned in the opening 17 with an outer exposed side 21 in alignment withan innerside of the furnace wall 11. The panel structure 16, therefore, constitutes a part of the furnace wall lining and is of a width sufficient to protect the brick work of the wall 11 from direct contact with the moving fuel bed, and

cost thereof is reduced to a minimum.

Referring further to the water-cooled r0- tective structure 16, a plurality of inclined pipes 22 extend from an upper front header 23 to a lower rear header 24. These pipes are positioned in spaced relation and in a common vertical plane between'an inner side 25 (Fi 4) of the side wall 11 and an outer side 26 t ereof. Protection is afforded the pipes 22 against the direct heat of the furnace by means of a plurality of blocks 27 of cast iron or other refractory material. The blocks 27 are sitioned in side-by-side and superposed rela ion, forming, respectively, a plurality of vertical tbws 28 and a plurality of inclined rows 29. Upper and lower sides 31 and 32 of the blocks 27 are inclined at an angle corres onding to that of the stoker 1, while front an rear edges 33 and 34 are positioned vertically. It is noted, however, that the blocks 35, which form upper and lower inclined rows 36 and 37, are" slightly modified, in that an exposedside 38 is formed horizontally rather than at an inclination, as in the case of the sides 31 and 32. The panel 16 is thus provided with upper and lower step-like edges which facilitate the building of the brick wall immediately adjacent thereto.

An inner side 39 of each block is so re cessled as to partially embrace the circumference of an adjacent cooling pipe 22, and it may be releasably secured in this position by means of a pair of bolts 41 and 42 which extend from a flange 43 of aavertically extending member 44 to threaded borings 45 formed in the inner side 39 of the protective block 27. The flange portion 43 of the vertical an le member 44 is thus clamped against the adjacent parallel side portion of the pipes 22, so that the vertical angle member 44, the pipes 22 and the blocks 27, which constitute the vertical row immediately in front of the angle member 44, are rigidly secured together. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the blocks of each of the vertical rows 28 are rigidly secured together by means of an angle member, since there is provided one angle member 44 for each row.

As noted above, one important feature of the present invention is the provision of means for so supporting the protective cur tain structure 16 that access may be had thereto from the outside of the furnace without the necessity for removing a portion of the furnace wall,-the invention further contemplating means, whereby the panel structure 16 may expand independently of its supportinigr means. To this end, I provide an open amework 46 in the portion of the furnace opening 17 between the. panel structurlei 16 and the outer side 26 of the furnace wa As illustrated particularly in Figs. 2 to 6,

inclusive, the open framework 46 comprises apair of elongated upper and lower channels 47 and 48, which are positioned in an inclined position parallel to the upper and lower walls 19 and 18 of the opening 17, by means of spaced vertical I-beams 49, 51, 52, 53 and 54. The upper ends 55 and 56 of the channels are respectively connected by brackets 57 and 58 to a vertical supporting beam 59. Lower ends 61 and 62 of the elongated channel members 47 and 48 are similarly supported by bracket members 63 and 64 to a vertical channel 65. Thus, a very rigid construction is formed which is capable of supporting the entire weight of a portion 66 of the furnace Wall 11 positioned above the opening 17, as will presently appear in greater detail.

A plurality of cast iron blocks 67 are bolted to an upper side 68 of the top channel member 47, as illustrated in s. 4 and 6. Each block comprises a bevel 8. side 69, which is clamped against the inclined side 68 of the channel 47 by a pair of bolts 71, and also horizontal and vertical sides 72 and 73, respectively. Movement of the block 67 on the inclined channel 47 is further prevented by means of a lug 74 which extends through a central aperture 75 formed in the channel member 47 as shown in Fig. 4. The horizontal surface portion 7 2 of each of the blocks supports a bearing plate 76 which extends 67 may be increased without increasing the dimensions thereof. 7 The upper elongated channel 47 is thus provided with'a step-like bearing surface upon which the upper portion 66 of the brick Wall 11 may be su ported. Such construction facilitates the building of the brick wall portion 66 on the upper supporting member 47 and thereby decreases the cost of the same.

As above indicated, the load of the upper brickwork, as well as that of the channel member 47 may be carried by means of the plurality of vertical I-beammembers 49, 51, 52, 53 and 54 up er ends of which abut against an undersid e 79 of the channel member 47. A pair of brackets 81 are secured to spaced flanges 82 (Fig. 4) of each of these vertical supporting members and also to the underside 79 of the upper channel member 47, thereby preventing a movement relative to the channel member 47. ,(Llower end of the vertical supporting members rests upon the lower inclined channel member 48, and is similarly secured to an upper side 83 thereof by bracket members 84. I

Thelower channel member 48 is also provided with a plurality of cast iron blocks 85 similar in all respects to the blocks 67 associated with the upper channel 47 Each of tical supporting members, Each of the blocks 85 comprises front and rear vertical sides 89 and 91 and a bottom side 92. The blocks 85 thus providea step-like supporting surface for-the lower channel or foundation member .48 and very greatly simplifies the building of the portion of the brick wall immediately adjacent thereto, as in the case of the upper series of blocks 67.

A further important feature of my invention is the mounting of the side wall panel structure 16 on one side of the open framework 46 in such manner that the water tubes 22 may expand longitudinally relative to the cooler channel members 47 and 48 without damage to any of these parts. Accordingly, I provide a pair of bearing pins 93 and 94 for each pair of adjacent vertical angle mem bers 44. As illustrated in Figs. 4'and 5, the lower pin 93 is horizontally positioned in apertures 95 and 96 formed in adjacent transversely extending flange portions 97 and 98 of a pair of angle members 44, 44. Movement,, .of the bearing pin 93 in either direction out of the-apertures 95 and 96 is prevented by cotter pins or other securing means 99. The

hearing pin 93 passes through apertures 101 and 102 formed in flange portions 103 and 104 of bracket members 105 and 106 which are mounted on an inner side 107 of an adjacent side flange 108 of the lower channel 48. The flange portions 103, 104 are preferably positioned between the parallel flange portions 97 and 98 of the tube-supporting members 44.

The upper end portion of the flanges 94 and 98 are" similarly apertured to receive the bearing pin 94 which extends through flanges 109 and 111 positioned therebetween. The flanges 109 and 111 constitute portions of bracket members 112 and 113 which are secured to an inner side 114 of an adjacent side flange 115 of the upper channel member 47. The upper and lower edge portions of the wall panel structure 16 secured to the angle members 44 are thus slidably mounted on the inner edge portion of the open framework 46, the bearing pins 93 and 94 moving bodily relative to the supporting flanges 103, 104

and 109. 111 upon the occurrence of unequal" lengthwise ex pansion between the panel structure 16 and the framework 46. Successive pairs of vertical angle members 44, 44 are similarly slidably connected by means of the pins 93 and 94 to the inner edge portion of the open framework 46, so that the panel structure 16 as a whole is suitably anchored in position throughout its length.

In actual practice, it has been found desirable to rigidly connect the central section of the panel 16 to the framework 46 and this may be accomplished in the manner shown in Fig.- 7, wherein a bearing pin 116, which is associated with the central pair of angle members 44, is threaded on the ends thereof for the reception of clamping nuts 117. Spacer elements l18and 119 are so positioned that the nuts 117 may be tightened to insure a rigid connection between the flange portions 97 and 1 98 and the adjacent flange portions 109 and 111 of the supporting bracket members- A similar ri id connection (notshown) is made- I between t e lower end of the central pair of angle members 4 and supporting brackets carried by the lower channel 48. Hence, when 5 the panel structure 16 expands, a movement.

occurs in opposite directions from the central pair of angle members 44. The expansion at each of the end walls of the furnace is, there-p fore, only one-half the total expansionwhich very greatly simplifies the construe tional problems in this connection. Should, j

the side wall and this leads to structural complications.

blocks 27, forming the panel 16 with a re- The escapeof heat from the panel structure close the vertical angle members 44.

The accumulation of dirt in the portion of I V the Opening ween the insulating m t i 123 and the outer side 26 of the furnace wall may be prevented by means of an elongated closure plate 124 comprising a plurality of panel sections 125. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, each of the verticaledges 126' of adjacent panel sections 125 abut against a series of bolts 127 which extend outwardly from a vertical angle member 128. Opposite ends of the members 128 are secured by bolts 129 to inner sides of upper and lower flanges 131 and 132 of the channel members 47 and 48.

The meeting edges 126 of the panel section. 125 may be covered by means of a plate 133 which is secured to an outer side of the adja-' cent panels 125 by means of nuts 134 on the exposed ends of the bolts 127.

In operation, assuming upper and lower headers 23 and 24 connected to piping 135 of a boiler system, the cooling fluid passes through the pipes 22 of the elongated panel structure 16, causing the protective blocks 27 to be maintained at a safe working temperature. \Vhen it is desired to repair one of the blocks 27 or a cooling pipe 22, it is necessary to remove only one of the panels 125. Inasmuch as the supporting structure for the Under some circumstances, it may be desir 1 able to coveran inner side 121 of the several fractory cement 122, say one-half inchthick. i

panel 16 comprises the open frame work 46 and not the brick wall, no necessity is bad for the removal of the brick work, as was the case in the structure of the co-pending application above mentioned.

lYhen the panel structure 16 is heated, so

' as to cause an unequal expansion between itself and the open framework 46 by reason of the slidable mounting afforded by the several pins'93 and 91, no damage is done to the connected parts. It is also noted that the panel structure 16 and the open framework 46 together constitute a removable unit. Moreover, the framework 46 not only permits access therethrough from the outside of the furnace to the panel structure 16, but it also serves to support slidably the panel structure 16 as well as the upper portion 66 of the furnace wall.

While I have shown the removable unit comprising the panel 16 and the supporting framework 46 positioned inthe side wall of the furnace, it is equally adaptable to the front and rear walls,'without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I dere, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are indicated in the appended claims or as are demanded by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A wall having an opening, an open supporting framework positioned in said opening comprising a pair of members having step-like bearing surfaces, means for positioning said members in supporting relation to said wall, and a protective structure for substantially closing one side of said opening carried by said framework, the latter permitting access to said protective structure from the other side of said opening.

2. In a furnace, the combination with an inclined fuel-supporting surface, of a fluidcooled side-wall construction positioned atan angle approximately equal to the fuel surface inclination, said furnace having a wall providedwith an opening, an open framework positioned in said opening and adapted to support at least a portion of said side wall construction in such manner as to permit relative lengthwise expansion between the protective structure and the framework.

3. A furnace wall, a-pair of spaced elongated members having step-like bearing surfaces in engagement therewith, means for maintaining said members in spaced relation, a protective structure, and means whereby said protected structure may be supported by said spaced members, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of bearin pins.

4. The combination with an open' ramework comprising a pair of inclined elongated members, a plurality of spaced members therebetween, a protective curtain structure comprising a plurality of blocks disposed in superposed relation forming vertical rows and a plurality of upright membors for said rows and connected thereto, a bearing pm individual to each pair of upright members, and means carried by one of said elongated members disposed in supporting relation to said bearing pins.

. 5. The combination with a,.curtain structure comprising a plurality of blocks disposed in side-by-side as well as 'su 'ierposed relation, forming substantially vertical rows, and a vertical supporting member for said blocks individual to each row, of an open framework comprising a pair of elongated members, means for positioning said mem bers in spaced relation, a'plurality of blocks secured to said members so asto form stepli-ke bearing surfaces, and means whereby said vertical members may be so secured to said elongated members as to permit a relative longitudinal expansion therebetween said means including a plurality of supportpin extending from one of said elongated members.

7. A furnace wall having an opening, a

pair of elongated members positioned therein and provided with a plurality of blocks formin step like bearing surfaces, means for positioning said bearing surfaces in abutting relation to adjacent portions of the furnace wall, a protective curtain structure for one side of said wall comprising a plurality -of blocks and a plurality of pairs of members for supporting said blocks, at least one adj acent pair of members having pins supported thereby, and supporting shoulders extending from said elongatedbmembers for engaging said pins, whereby said structure may be carried at least in part by said elongated members.

8. A furnace wall having an opening, a supporting framework for at least one portion of said wall positioned in said opening, said framework comprising a pair of inclined members, a plurality of blocks mounted thereon and formed to provide substantially horizontal and vertical wall-engaging surfaces, means for removably securing said blocks to said members, and a protective curtain structure for one side of said opening comprising a plurality of blocks, a plurality of cooling tubes therefor, a plurality of angle members and means for clamping said blocks, said angle members and said tubes together, a plurality of bearing pins carried ios by said angle members, and supporting means for said pins extending from one side of said framework, whereby the latter may be supported at least in part by said framework.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising a furnace wall having an opening, a supporting framework for at least one portion of said wall positioned within said opening, said framework comprising a pair of elongated members having a transversely ex tending flange portion, a plurality of blocks supported by said members forming substantially horizontal and vertical wall-engaging surfaces, bearing plates carried by said horizontal engaging surfaces, means for maintaining said elongated members in spaced relation, saidmembers and said blocks having interlocking portions tending to prevent a relative sliding movement therebetween, a protective curtain structure comprising a plurality of angle members, one flange of each angle member being positioned parallel to said protective structure and the other flange extending transversely thereof, a plurality of supporting elements extending between said transversely extending flanges, and means carried by the flanges of said elongated members for engaging said pins, whereby said protective structure may be supported at least in part on said framework.

10. In a furnace having a wall provided with an opening, the combination with a supporting framework, at least one portion of said wall comprising a pair of elongated inclined channel members, a plurality of members for positioning said channel members in spaced relation, each of said members having a plurality of blocks mounted on one side thereof forming step-like bearing surfaces, bearing plates carried by certain of said blocks extending beyond said channel, so that a greater supporting surface may be afforded the adjacent portion of the furnace wall, a protective curtain structure for one side of said furnace wall opening comprising a plurality of angle members, and means whereby said angle members may be supported on said channels, said means permitting lengthwise expansion of said protective structure relative to said framework in opposite directions from a predetermined point on said framework intermediate the ends thereof.

11. In a furnace, the combination with means forming an inclined grate surface, of a wall, an elongated protective panel structure for the portion of said wall adjacent to said grate surface, said structure having an inclination corresponding with the inclination of the said grate surface, tubes for a fluid cooling medium secured in said panel structure, a similarly inclined open framework constituting a portion of said wall and so disposed as to afford access thercthrough to the said panel from the outside of the wall, and means for securing the said panel structure to the framework, said securing means providing for relative movement of the panel structure and the framework due to longitudinal expansion and contraction.

12. A wall having an opening, an open framework positioned in said opening and comprising a plurality of members positioned in supporting relation to said wall, and a protective structure for substantially closing one side of said opening carried by said framework, the latter permitting access to said protective structure from the other side of said opening.

13. A wall having an opening, an open framework positioned in said opening and comprising a plurality of members positioned in supporting relation to said wall, a protective structure including tubes for a fluidcooling medium substantially closing one side of said opening and forming a fuelabutting surface in the wall, and means independent of said tubes for securing said structure to the framework to form therewith a unitary structure, said open framework permitting access to said protective structure from the other side of said opening.

14;. A wall having an opening, an open framework positioned in said opening and comprising a plurality of members positioned in supporting relation to said wall, a protective structure substantially closing one side of said opening, tubes for a fluid-cooling medium clamped in said structure, and means independent of said tubes for securing the said structure to the framework, said securing means permitting relative movements of the structure and the framework due to expansion and contraction.

15. A wall having an opening inclined to the horizontal, an open framework positioned in said opening and comprising a plurality of inclined members positioned in supporting relation to said wall, and a protective structure for substantially closing one side of said opening carried by said framework, the attaching means permitting relative movement between the framework and the protective structure due to longitudinal expansion of the latter.

16. In a furnace wall structure, the combination with a framework comprising a plurality of elongated members positioned in supporting relation to said wall, of an inclined water-cooled panel structure adapted to constitute at least one portion of said wall and secured to said framework by means independent of the water-cooling means whereby the said structure and the framework constitute a structural unit, and means whereby lengthwise expansion of said panel may occur independently of said framework.

17. In a stoker furnace, the combination with a fuelsupporting structure including a plurality of retorts, and means for underfeeding fuel therein, of a furnace wall having structural framework provided therein extending above the level of said retorts, and a fluid-cooled panel supported by said framework and constituting a part of the effective inner wall surface adjoinin the fuel-bed, said panel bein accessible rom the outer side of said wal 18. In a stoker furnace, the combination with a fuel-supporting structure including a plurality of retorts, and means for underfeeding fuel therein, of a furnace wall bounding a side of said structure, structural framework defining an opening in said wall extending above the level of said retorts, and a fluid-cooled panel closing the inner end of said opening and constituting a art of the effective inner wall surface adjoining the fuel-bed, said panel being accessible through said framework from the outer side of said wall.

19. In a stoker furnace, the combination with a fuel-supporting structure including a lurality of retorts, and "meansfor undereedin fuel therein, of a furnace wall bounding a side of said structure, a structural member supportingan upper portion of said wall above the level of said retorts, and a fluidcooled panel supported by said member and constituting a part of the effective inner wall surface adjoinin the fuel-bed, said panel being accessible rom the outer side of said wall.

20. In a stoker furnace, the combination with a fuel-supporting structure including a lurality of retorts, and means for undereeding fuel therein, of a furnace wall comprising a structural member constituting a support for an upper portion of said wall, a fluid-cooled panel comprising a plurality of tubes and elements clamped thereto, and meansfor securing said elements to said member whereby said panel is supported below' said upper wall iportion in position to form a part of the e ective inner wall surface adjoining the fuel-bed.

21. In a stoker furnace, the combination with a fuel-supporting structure including a plurality of retorts, and means for underfeeding fuel in said retorts, of a furnace wall bounding said structure and comprising a structural member constituting a support for an upper portion of said wall, which upper wall portion terminates at its lower end above the fuel-bed, and a fluid-cooled panel suported below said upper wall ortion and orming a continuation of sai wall, said panel constituting an abutment for the fuelbed and being accessible from the outer side of said wall.

22. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker, of a furnace wall comprising a structural member constituting a support for an upper portion of said wall, and a fluid-cooled panel extending downwardly from the lower terminal edge of said upper wall portion and forming a part of the effective inner wall surface adjoining the fuel-supporting portion of said stoker, said panel being accessible under said structural member from the outer side of said wall.

23. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker, of a furnace wall comprising an upper portion tenninating at its lower edge at a point above the fuel-supporting portion of said structure, a structural framework supporting said upper wall portion, and a fluid-cooled panel supported in said framework and extending downwardly from the lower edge of said upper wall portion to form a part of the effective inner wall surface adjoining the fuelbed, said panel being accessible through said framework from the outer side of said wall.

24. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker, of a furnace wall comprising an upper portion terminating at its lower edge at a point above the fuel-supporting portion of said structure, a structural framework supporting said upper wall portion, and a fluid-cooled panel supported at the inner side of saidframework and forminga part of the effective inner wall surface adjoining the fuel-bed, said panel being accessible through said framework from the outer side of said wall. I

25. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker having an inclined fuelsupporting structure, of a furnace wall comprising an upper portion terminating at its lower edge on a line above the level of and substantially parallel to said structure and immediately above the top of the fuel-bed, a structural framework supporting said upper wall portion, and a fluidcooled panel supported at the inner side of said framework and forming a portion of the effective inner wall surface abutting the fuelbed, said panel being accessible through said framework from the outer side of said wall.

26. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker having an inclined fuel-supporting structure, of a furnace wall comprising an upper portion terminating at its lower edge on a line above the level of and substantially parallel to said structure, a structural framework supporting said upper wall portion and including an inclined member underlying the lower edge of said upper wall portion, a fluidcooled panel at the inner side of said framework forming a portion of the inner effective wall surface adjoining the fuel-bed, and means for supporting said panel providing for relative movement of the panel and the framework due to expansion and contraction of the former.

27. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker having an inclined fuel-supporting structure, of a furnace wall comprising an upper portion terminating at its lower edge on a line above the level of and substantially parallel to said structure, a structural framework adjoining the side of said stoker structure and constituting a support for the upper Wall portion, a fluid-cooled panel at the inner side of said 10 framework forming a portion of the inner effective wall surface adjacent the fuel-bed, said panel comprising ducts for the cooling medium, and elements clamped to said ducts, means in said framework cooperating with said elements to support the panel, said supporting means providing for relative movement between the panel and the framework due to expansion and contraction of the former, and said panelbeing accessible through said framework from the outer side of said wall. 28. In a furnace, the combination with a multiple retort underfeed stoker having an inclined fuel-supporting structure, of a fur-' nace Wall comprising an upper portion ter-.

minating at its lower edge on a line above the level of and substantially parallel to Said structure, a structural framework adjoining the side of said stoker structure and constituting a support for the upper wall portion a fluid-cooled panel at the inner side of said framework forming aportion of the inner 7 effective wall surface adjacent the fuel-bed, said panel comprising ducts for the cooling medium, a plurality of facing elements at the inner sides of said ducts, a plurality of members engaging the opposite sides of said ducts, means for clamping said facing elements and members to the ducts, and elements securing said members to said framework whereby the panel is supported in position, said securing means providing for relative movement between the panel and the framework due to expansion and contraction of the former.

EDWARD WHEELER. 

